Tag Archives: child welfare

Drawing the line: Regaining parental authority safely when caring for a young person recovering from a tough start to life

Preamble Taking on the care of a young person whose parents were finding life hard, such that their care was inadequate, presents some common challenges for the adults responsible for their contemporary care. These challenges stem from circumstances in which … Continue reading

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Why does my child react so badly to me saying “no”?

In this video, I explain why children recovering from developmental trauma, in particular, react so extremely the word “no”, and suggest some ways to respond therapeutically to this. The video is intended to be of most interest to those who … Continue reading

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What is Trauma Informed Practice? The CARE Curriculum

In this video, I lay out the key reflections embedded the CARE Curriculum, which are integral to facilitating an outcome where our children and young people experiences themselves as worthy and capable, others as responsive and trustworthy, and their world … Continue reading

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Child welfare intervention outcomes: what does trust in the accessibility and responsiveness of adults look like?

In this the final blog of the series, I will present what I think functional learning about the accessibility and responsiveness of adults in a caregiving role for needs provision looks like. I recommend that the reader also take a … Continue reading

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Outcomes in child welfare: What a well-modulated nervous system looks like

In this, the third blog in this series, I will write about what a well-modulated nervous system looks like among children and young people who are recovering from a tough start to life. Please also refer to the first and … Continue reading

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Child Welfare Intervention Outcomes: What we know and what we see

What outcomes do you expect to see as a result of my service provision? This is a question I routinely ask in my work. Put another way: These are, perhaps, the fundamental questions that get at the hopes of the … Continue reading

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What do children in care need to recover from relational trauma?

In recent posts I have referred to three things that children in out-of-home care need, and need adults who are responsible for their care and welfare to understand, to support their recovery from complex relational trauma. These three things are: … Continue reading

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How long does it take for therapeutic care strategies to work?

The ‘failure’ of a therapeutic care strategy to achieve the desired outcome on first administration does not necessarily mean that it will not or that it is a worthless strategy. Children and young people who are recovering from a tough … Continue reading

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Why is the child I am caring for unsettled after contact with their birth parent?

Children and young people who could not be safely cared for at home by their mum and/or dad are afforded contact with their birth parents where it is safe and appropriate to do so. Contact done well preserves a sense … Continue reading

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Why does my child follow me to the bathroom?

Those who take care of children who are recovering from a tough start to life commonly report that the child in their care follows them to the bathroom, and becomes unreasonably distressed when prevented from doing so. In my experience … Continue reading

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